A group of conservative US senators led by Rick Scott (R-FL) has sent President Joe Biden a letter urging him to rescind two documents the senators claim undermine Israel’s interests.
Namely, the senators are concerned over the White House’s February 1, 2024 Executive Order 14115 and February 8, 2024 National Security Memorandum 20.
The February 1st memorandum announced the imposition of sanctions on certain Israeli citizens for their alleged involvement in attacks against civilian populations in the West Bank.
Separately, the February 8th national security memo, while not specifically referencing Israel, will slow the transfer of US military assistance to Israel due to new vetting requirements.
Consequently, the senators claim President Biden’s acts counteract Israel’s efforts to defeat Hamas.
“Both documents undercut our most valuable alliance in the Middle East,” reads the letter.
Senator Scott claimed he has been exasperated by Biden’s foreign policy strategy with Israel, saying he is “sick and tired of the Biden admin’s attempts to undermine Israelis.”
Specifically, Biden’s February 1st sanctions target David Chai Chasdai, Einan Tanjil, Shalom Zicherman, and Yinon Levi for their role in allegedly attacking West Bank civilians and their property.
Chasdai, who has been prosecuted by Israeli authorities, allegedly led a riot, which involved setting property on fire and assaulting Palestinian civilians, leading to one death.
The Israeli government criticized Biden’s sanctions.
“If the U.S. wanted to use (sanctions) in an equal manner it would have imposed sanctions on hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. I told Blinken it is a highly problematic thing," said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
According to the Israeli government, numerous steps have been taken to combat settler violence in the West Bank, eliminating the need for US intervention.
Meanwhile, the war in Gaza continues, with Israel reportedly planning a wide-scale military operation into the city of Rafah, a rumored Hamas stronghold.
